Search found 24 matches

by david.sojourn
Wed May 07, 2014 4:53 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Should one try to convert non-Buddhists?
Replies: 80
Views: 20230

Re: Should one try to convert non-Buddhists?

However those that have Stream entry and more spread the message. its a duty for them to spread the message. I don't understand your obsession with stream entry as a minimum requirement in this thread and others. Where, in which sutta is it stated that stream entry is a requirement to teach the Dha...
by david.sojourn
Wed May 07, 2014 3:59 pm
Forum: Shrine Room
Topic: Your favourite contemporary teachers
Replies: 89
Views: 44021

Re: Your favourite contemporary teachers

Stephen K wrote:In this thread please list your most favourite contemporary teachers/monks.



Mine are:

Ajahn Brahm
Ajahn Chah
Bhikkhu Bodhi
Mahasi Sayadaw
This is a good list.

I would add Ajahn Sumhedo, as well.

And Jack Kornfield.

Any of the students of Ajahn Chah, are of value to the modern seeker.
by david.sojourn
Wed May 07, 2014 3:58 pm
Forum: Dhammic Stories
Topic: What would you do if you saw a freezing child?
Replies: 30
Views: 13548

Re: What would you do if you saw a freezing child?

That's really heartwarming stuff. Sadly, in my country it would be difficult for men on their own to intervene, because of the widespread fear of being thought to be a paedophile. Also true in America. I fear to look in the general direction of a playground, not because I have any ill intention, bu...
by david.sojourn
Wed May 07, 2014 3:47 pm
Forum: Vipassanā / Satipaṭṭhāna Bhāvana
Topic: Meditating on rapture
Replies: 4
Views: 2162

Re: Meditating on rapture

culaavuso wrote:Focus on causes. Be aware of the results.
[/quote]

Also good advice, and simpler than my ramble. :)
by david.sojourn
Wed May 07, 2014 3:44 pm
Forum: Vipassanā / Satipaṭṭhāna Bhāvana
Topic: Meditating on rapture
Replies: 4
Views: 2162

Re: Meditating on rapture

Not there yet but just want to understand - when someone experiences rapture how is he supose to meditate on it arnt we supose to just note things and let them go ? if someone dosnt focus on this rapture will he not advance or does this rapture overpower all other experiences that arise so you dont...
by david.sojourn
Wed May 07, 2014 3:36 pm
Forum: Samatha Bhāvana
Topic: "Keeping the Breath in Mind" Method 1
Replies: 3
Views: 2916

Re: "Keeping the Breath in Mind" Method 1

The simplest technique is to just:

Watch the breath.

Just watch it.

Nothing special at all.

That's the best technique.
by david.sojourn
Wed May 07, 2014 3:34 pm
Forum: Sīla
Topic: Porn addict and painful and hard cleaning
Replies: 43
Views: 14894

Re: Porn addict and painful and hard cleaning

Dear Forum Members, i am new on the forum. i practice theravada since one and a half year. i try to leave porn videos because porn is a bad and primitive thing. Who told you that? Did you tell yourself that? I know a very enlightened guy who still watches porn. Primitive? What are you, a robot? Are...
by david.sojourn
Wed May 07, 2014 3:28 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Are you good or evil?
Replies: 3
Views: 1437

Re: Are you good or evil?

Are you good or evil? Good documentary about how mind is defiled of a child due to external factor and his latent tendencies. http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/video/11829827969/Are-You-Good-Or-Evil :popcorn: True nature is good, harmonious, balanced, symbiotic. We create our own evils within, through...
by david.sojourn
Tue May 06, 2014 7:53 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: the great rebirth debate
Replies: 7539
Views: 1326946

Re: the great rebirth debate

If you are debating, you are not practicing anything but running the mind and the mouth. Nobody who debates rebirth will ever get closer to understanding it. It must be understood through Stream Entry. The modern world wants to Analyze everything. Intellectually "Figure it out". It will ne...
by david.sojourn
Tue May 06, 2014 6:54 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Any stream-enterer here?
Replies: 131
Views: 24984

Re: Any stream-enterer here?

Crazy cloud wrote:
david.sojourn wrote:
Crazy cloud wrote:makes sense .. :) :goodpost:
That's what you think!! :lol:
And how sure are you about that? :smile:
Who's sure about what?
by david.sojourn
Tue May 06, 2014 6:34 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: There is no fire like lust
Replies: 19
Views: 6255

Re: There is no fire like lust

I've heard many many different approaches for overcoming/understanding sexuality, but my mind always finds a loop hole somewhere. When I'm feeling "true", for lack of a better word, or maybe "authentic", then I don't want any involvement with relationships or sexuality. I feel v...
by david.sojourn
Tue May 06, 2014 6:20 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Should one try to convert non-Buddhists?
Replies: 80
Views: 20230

Re: Should one try to convert non-Buddhists?

Hello, I have been struggling with this question recently, having been raised as a Christian, where it was often emphasized that one must try to convert non-believers. From the doctrine of kamma, I would think that there is no point in trying to "convert" someone, since their kamma might ...
by david.sojourn
Tue May 06, 2014 5:56 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: rebirth and evolution
Replies: 19
Views: 3438

Re: rebirth and evolution

I apologize if this is addressed somewhere else like the enormous rebirth debate. Does survival of the fittest conflict with consciousness rebirth? Is survival of the fittest somehow more than a rational deduction? Does consciousness come from the brain? To me, this latter idea used to make sense, ...
by david.sojourn
Tue May 06, 2014 5:50 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: What is the last thing to let go?
Replies: 43
Views: 13689

Re: What is the last thing to let go?

I am just think in term of six senses and ten fetters. Is there something you let go last? Say I let go my eye, ear, tongue etc consciousness. I think all this is not me, mine myself in terms of mental formations and body. But "I" still see "I" am sitting here and writing this p...
by david.sojourn
Tue May 06, 2014 5:23 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Help Friend or Ordain now?
Replies: 21
Views: 3733

Re: Help Friend or Ordain now?

It is inappropriate for a practicing monk to ask for money for a hut. Be careful of the reasons why you are ordaining. You are trying to escape. You cannot simply leave your existing life and expect the suffering to go away. What is suffering? Where does it come from? You should understand these que...